William Shaw Chandler Otis
William Shaw Chandler Otis (deceased), son of William Otis, was born in Cummington, Mass., August 24, 1807. In 1825 his father immigrated to Ohio, leaving his son to make his way through college. After graduating he accepted the position of Principal of Gates Academy, Marlboro, Mass., where he remained one year. In the fall of 1831 he removed to Ohio, where he read law in the office of Messrs. Whittlesey & Newton, in Canfield. He was admitted to the bar in September, 1833, and commenced the practice of law in Ravenna. He subsequently removed to Akron, in the adjoining county of Summit; was Prosecuting Attorney of that county for two years, and in 1850 and 1851 was a member of the convention which formed the present Constitution of Ohio. He was President of the Akron branch of the State Bank of Ohio from its organization in 1847 until January, 1854, and, during most of that period, was a member of the Board of Control of the State Bank of Ohio. In January, 1854, Mr. Otis was elected Vice-President of the Cleveland & Pittsburgh Railroad Company, and removed to Cleveland to enter upon the duties of that office. At the expiration of the year he resumed the practice of his profession at Cleveland, where he resided till the date of his death. He was soon appointed Attorney and Counsellor of the Cleveland & Pittsburgh Railroad Company, which position he filled for more than fourteen years with distinguished ability. Mr. Otis was first married January 1, 1836, to Miss Hannah Mygatt, daughter of the late Comfort Mygatt, Esq., of Canfield, Ohio. Mrs. Otis died April 11, 1840, without children. Mr. Otis was again married November 1, 1842, to Miss Laura Lyman, daughter of Hon. Darius Lyman, of Ravenna. He had six children, four of whom are now living. Mr. Otis died at Cleveland, Ohio, July 31, 1879. As a brilliant advocate, able counsellor and sagacious manager, Mr. Otis occupied the front rank in his profession.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885